A post mortem examination has concluded on the bodies of the man and woman found this morning at Askeaton, Co. Limerick and no cause of death has been established as yet.

Further testing is now required and this may take some days.

The two have been named locally as Julia Holmes, 63, and her partner Thomas Ruttle, aged in his 50s.

Julia Holmes and Thomas Ruttle (Pic: RTE)

However gardaí wish to stress that there has been no positive identification of either of the deceased and efforts to identify them are ongoing.

The bodies of a man and a woman were discovered at an isolated farmhouse in Askeaton, County Limerick this morning.

There is no suggestion of foul play, but Gardai are investigating whether the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide.

Reports earlier today speculated that the bodies were that of alleged fraudster grandmother Julia Holmes and her partner.

Holmes is currently at the centre of a worldwide police hunt, had recently been traced to a farm house in Boolaglass, Askeaton, which she had been renting.

According to a source Ms Holmes, who was wanted by the FBI, the PSNI and Gardaí, had been in a relationship with a local farmer who owns the house.

Julia Holmes, who is alleged to have used different aliases including, Croen Ruttle, Dr Watson, Julia Watson and Celia Watson, is wanted by the PSNI after going on the run in 2011.

She disappeared from her home in Ballynahinch, Co Down, in January 2011. A warrant for her arrest was issued when she failed to turn up to court in Newtownards for a series of alleged frauds totalling £18,000.

She was previously deported to Northern Ireland from the United States in 2006 after she was arrested in connection with a $500,000 property scam.

Gardaí continue to appeal for witnesses to contact them at Newcastle West Garda Station on 069 20650, The Garda Confidential Line, 1800 666111 or any Garda Station.